F - ran - K

Dad: If you take F away from Frank, and then take K away, you get RAN. Frank ran.
Frank: No. If you take F away and K away you get FRANK WADDLED.

Haha, this conversation happened on the way home from the marathon today. What marathon? Dougal was keeping it pretty quiet, but Libby was telling everyone that two of her boys were in a race today. Dougal completed his first marathon - yeeha! - and Frank and G'Marg did the Kids' Mile. Very impressive effort by all three. Frank even got a medal.

Pappy was support crew and thanks to Tony, Jane and Leona for the extra encouragement. G'Marg says she's in training for next year already!

Despite wondering whether Frankie was too young and worrying how he'd feel about it all, G'Marg made sure he had a ball. Apparently he demanded a two second sit down along the way, but getting to pat a competing dog - who also got a medal - spurred him on. One of the highlights was seeing parents/grandies running with their kids and giving them encouragement.

Pre race nerves - Arthur looks like he's saying a quiet prayer or two.


Can you see them? Spot the F on Frank's back and G'Marg's cute red hat.

You gotta pace yourself; remind yourself to relax ya arms...

A little quiet time after the race - then he was zooming around again, fresh as a daisy.

Mr Arfasaurus.

It's been quite a week, what with preparing for the marathon and Arf being sick with roseola... There has never been a grumpier child than Arthur Donald List in the days before the rash broke out. Luckily, he is absolutely fine now and up to his usual mischief. It wasn't swine 'flu, phew!

Frank had a Kindy disco on Friday night to celebrate Matariki. No way was he interested in the dancing though. "Elliot and I ran and ran and chased and chased each other in the dark." Yep, and luckily Mum was smart enough to buy glo sticks at the end to entice him to leave.

Other than that, all is good in the List household. We had Sweeney-next-door's 3rd birthday party and it was Grandad Macbrayne's birthday yesterday too.

Frank (3 1/4) is all about "WHY?", while Arfalarfa (1 3/4) is all about "MINE!"

Mischief 1 and Mischief 2

Get them trained up early, I say.

A bonfire at the beach with Fireman Murray.

Murray and Arf.

Frank gazes out to sea - then, moments later, wades on in.

Friends some of the time.

There are only about a million cars but it all comes down to wanting what the other one has...

Sweeties.

Cheese.

It's a space ship.

3...2...1...Blast off....

Check out the funky knitwear being modelled at the zoo.

Checking out the monkey.

Lalalalalaaaaaaaaa! Sorry, Ro, I couldn't resist.

Hi there. Not much to report, but I happen to think the boys are looking particularly gorgeous these days so wanted to post a blog - and also because I have essays to mark and am procrastinating...

Granny Ro takes possession of her house today so we're really excited for her and hoping to visit her this afternoon. That now makes her officially a Wellingtonian!

The boys have been up to all sorts lately and need to be watched constantly (one in particular who has taken to climbing). To keep them busy is the key, so we've been to the zoo, music class, a playgroup, the playground, story time at the library, walks around the block, scootering around The Basin... you name it. The house is a disaster zone but we're all happy!

Brrrrrrr

Yahoo, the new Fat Freddy album is out!

Listening to the beats.

I reckon that's a $2 coin. Madeleine (who turned one recently) and Arf.



Mattais, Arf's 'nemeis' - haha.

The praying mantis was way more interesting than the wine tasting (but Mum enjoyed both...)

Lily and Frank hang out. No photos of her face!!!

An oldie but a goodie. We've got one of Ro wearing this too - how much will you/she pay me???

We have had a super-busy past month and have been told off for not updating the blog (and this is with three 'grandies' living in Wellington and seeing the boys pretty regularly). Humble apologies, devoted fans.

So, what's news?

• Dougal started his new job this week - and heads off to work with a tie! I never thought I'd see the day.
• Arf had a few days of barfing and is a grumpier version of himself at the moment. Pappy commiserated and got sick too.
• We had a long weekend in Napier and caught up with Helen, Mark, Lily, Mattais, Scott, Sarah, Madeleine, Tanny, Mike and Heidi. We also managed a trip to the Aquarium, wine tasting, playground adventures, the Sunday market, and other stuff I can't remember. We would happily have stayed longer but headed home on the Sunday, braving the sleet and snow.
• Frank is loving wearing gloves inside, spotting dragons and setting up the good old train set.
• Arf can't get enough of the book Goodnight Gorilla. Every dog-dog on the planet gets pointed at. He turns the t.v on as if he's The Boss. Hmmm.
• Libby has a break from teaching for a month or so - but, alas, not from marking.
• Ro moves in to her house in two weeks!
  
  That's enough from us. Good night (gorilla) and sleep tight.